Pediatrics in Review
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(Pediatrics in Review. 2006;27:37-39.)
© 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics

In Brief

Syphilis

The first 300 words of the full text of this article appear below.

An Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents. Shafii T, Burstein GR. Adolesc Med Clin. 2004;15:201–214

Syphilis (Treponema pallidum). Azimi P. In: Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Arvin AR, eds. Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 2004:978–982

Syphilis. Hammerschlag MR, Rawstron SA, Bromberg K. In: Gershon AA, Hotez PJ, Katz SL, eds. Krugman’s Infectious Diseases of Children. 11th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc; 2004:574–588

Forgotten But Not Gone: The Continuing Scourge of Congenital Syphilis. Walker DG, Walker GJA. Lancet Infect Dis. 2002;2:432–436

Syphilis is an infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum that affects children in two different forms: acquired syphilis, which is seen primarily among adolescents, and congenital syphilis. Acquired syphilis is transmitted almost exclusively by sexual contact, although transmission can occur from contaminated blood or contact with infected tissues. The prevalence of syphilis among adolescents in the United States is about 1.7 per 100,000 population in the 15- to 19-year-old age group; the predominance is slightly female. Overall, the rate of syphilis has been decreasing since an epidemic resurgence in the 1980s, but among young men between the ages of 20 and 24 years of age, it has risen recently, reflecting outbreaks affecting men who have sex with men. Syphilis remains more common among African-Americans (12.8 per 100,000) than among nonwhite Hispanic Americans (1.8) and nonHispanic Caucasian Americans (0.6).

Primary syphilis is characterized by a papule on the genitals, which develops into a painless ulcer called a chancre. Chancres, which are highly infectious and may be accompanied by localized lymphadenopathy, heal spontaneously within 4 to 6 weeks.

Secondary syphilis occurs in untreated patients 2 to 10 weeks after the chancre heals. Manifestations are systemic and related to spirochetes circulating in the bloodstream. A hallmark is . . . [Full Text of this Article]


Erica L. Hyman, MD
 Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Bronx, NY

Henry M. Adam, MD, Editor, In Brief




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